Message from the President

I want to thank you for taking the time to look at our website. Established in 1992, The St. Jude Retreats and the St. Jude Program have helped thousands of individuals find a permanent solution to their substance use problems. The St. Jude Program is a unique substance use social/educational program that helps our guests build confidence within themselves. As a philosophy, we have spent over two decades making sure individuals are prepared for the challenges of returning home after completion of our program. It is not uncommon for a guest to return to a home atmosphere filled with peer groups and possibly even family social structures that are characterized with heavy substance use, and in some cases poverty and other factors that can be very challenging to the newly sober guest. With the full knowledge that our program cannot "go home" and change the guest's respective community, peer and family structures; the philosophy has been to change the guest, and build the internal confidence and personal strength to overcome those inherent challenges that are part of our Western society. The St. Jude Retreats have had great success in building this confidence even in the face of some very harsh environmental circumstances. Our independently verified post program success rate attest to this fact.

As you visit our website, I urge you to explore the research that has supported the development of the St. Jude Program Series and the Cognitive Behavioral Education Instructor Certification processes all our instructors must complete. The St. Jude Program, is philosophically based on the Freedom Model. This educational approach is in direct contrast to many conventional programs that focus on illness and control rather than true choice and freedom. We do not teach our guests learned helplessness as so many of the control model programs do, but rather internal strength and confidence. This has been proven for over 20 years to be the model of the future.

We have a professional staff reflective of the people we serve. We have a higher percentage of certified educators per guest on staff than any comparable program in the country. Our food service professionals are exceptional and our recreational and social activities are world class. I hope that you will give St. Jude Retreats a chance to help you change your life forever.

Sincerely,

Ryan A. Schwantes

President
Saint Jude Retreats